Family Law in Auburn, Alabama

Family legal matters can be some of the most challenging and emotionally charged issues that folks in Auburn and throughout Alabama have to deal with. These proceedings are often very contentious, causing a high amount of stress for those involved. In many cases, resolving a family law issue is not a win/lose proposition. There are other important considerations at stake as well, such as the preservation of valuable family relationships.

Every family law case is different. Each family has its own unique set of dynamics, and the solution that is right for one Auburn family may not be the same as for another. Successfully handling these types of cases requires discernment and the ability to listen and fully understand each client’s specific needs and what is most important to them. Only then can you get creative and develop solutions that are tailored to each individual circumstance.

At the Alsobrook Law Group, we understand the delicate nature of family law matters. We have many years of experience helping Auburn area clients resolve some of the most difficult legal issues. We have extensive knowledge of the intricacies of this area of the law, and we know how the laws are practically applied within the local Alabama courts.

We work closely with our clients, providing the strong personalized representation they need during some of the most difficult times in their lives. Our in-depth experience, knowledge, and insights provide our clients with access to all of the options available to them, so they can make informed decisions.

We help Auburn clients with a wide range of family legal issues, including but not limited to:

• Divorce
• High Net Worth Divorce
• Child support
• Child custody/visitation
• Division of marital property
• Pre and postnuptial agreements
• Paternity
• Adoption

We also have extensive experience with many other areas of the law, such as criminal, business, and estate planning. This gives us a comprehensive understanding of how these areas of the law intertwine, allowing us to analyze the big picture and develop effective legal avenues that others may have missed.

Skilled Representation for Complex Auburn Divorces

For many spouses that want to dissolve their marriage, getting divorced can be a difficult and stressful proceeding. There are financial issues to resolve, such as the division of marital assets and whether or not a spouse that earns little to no income is entitled to alimony/maintenance. If there are children involved, it will also need to be decided who ends up with custody of the kids, and a parenting plan/visitation schedule will need to be created that is in keeping with the child’s best interests.

While some divorce cases are simpler and easier to process (such as when the marriage is relatively new, there are no children involved, and the couple has few assets), there are others that are far more complicated. Some examples include:

• High net worth divorces in which couples have significant assets;
• Divorces with family-owned or closely-held businesses;
• Divorces with complex tax consequences;
• Divorces involving children with special needs;
• Divorces with a stay-at-home parent;
• Military divorces.

We have dealt with situations like these numerous times, and we know how to successfully navigate the complexities of these types of cases. No matter how simple or complicated your case is, you can be confident knowing that you have a strong legal advocate by your side who knows how to handle the legal aspects of your proceeding.

Legal Separation vs. Divorce in Auburn, AL

When a couple is no longer getting along and they believe they need to live apart from each other, they can choose to either get divorced or legally separate. A legal separation is similar to an uncontested divorce, except that the couple is still married, and neither spouse can get married to someone else after the formal separation is completed.

There are several reasons a couple may want to consider getting a legal separation:

• They believe that there may still be a chance of saving the marriage, but they want to split up for a while and evaluate where they are at;
• The spouses are no longer compatible, but they do not want to get divorced because their religion forbids it;
• The spouses want to split up, but they want to stay married in order to take advantage of various financial benefits, such as the ability to collect on a spouse’s Social Security benefits or the ability to collect on a spouse’s military retirement benefits.

With a legal separation, the court can address many of the same issues that they would look at during a divorce. For example, while you live apart, the custodial parent can receive child support and alimony/spousal support if appropriate. You can also develop a workable parenting plan that fits with everyone’s schedule and best benefits the child, and you can even divide up the marital property.

It is important to note that however these issues are resolved in a legal separation will likely be a benchmark that is looked at and closely followed in any subsequent divorce proceeding. For this reason, you will want to make sure to have skilled legal counsel in your corner working hard to protect your interests.

It is also important to caution against separating informally without the involvement of the Auburn courts, because without a legal decree, there is no enforcement mechanism available if your spouse violates the agreement. For example, if you decide to live in separate residences and come up with an informal agreement on how much your spouse is going to pay you in alimony and child support, they could decide to stop paying it and there would be very little you could do about it at least in the short term.

While a legal separation might be worth considering in some cases, it is not always the best course of action. If you are absolutely sure that your marriage is irretrievably broken and there is nothing to gain financially by staying married, you are probably better off going straight to a divorce in most cases. And if you are in a serious relationship with someone else that you believe may progress further, then you should definitely consider divorcing rather than legally separating.

Contact Our Experienced Auburn, AL Family Law Lawyers

If you have any kind of family legal matter that will involve the courts, the Alsobrook Law Group is here to help. In Auburn, Opelika, and the surrounding areas, call our office today at 334.737.3718 or message us online to schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team. We also serve alimony requests in Auburn .